Requests
Requests for information can be sent to any one of the following:
Ms Claire Xuereb
Principal FOI
Officer, Office of the PPS and FOI Officer, Office of the Prime Minister
Tel: 22001013
Email: [email protected]
Ms Joanne Falzon
Alternate FOI
Officer, Office of the PPS and Alternate PFOIO, Office of the Prime Minister
Tel: 22001013
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 7:45am – 5:15pm (winter); 7:30am – 1.30pm (summer).
The provision of information may include charges.
Forms & Info
Click
here to access the appropriate documents and
here for further information.
Structure
The main function of the Department of Information is to provide a link between the Government and the public and provides the following services:
Electronic Services
The department manages the Malta Government Portal (
www.gov.mt), the Intranet for the Public Service and official pages on social media networks.
Government Information Service
The Government Information Service provides members of the general public with information and material relevant to Government services and activities. The Government Information Service is available by means of e-mail via
[email protected]. The Government Information Service welcomes members of the public who call in person at its Customer Care Office at 3, Castille Place, Valletta, to obtain information as well as to collect literature and other published documents relating to Government services and activities.
Media Monitoring Unit
The section monitors the most recent political, economic and social development issues, reported in the local print media. The media monitored currently consists of daily and weekly newspapers.
Media Relations
Media organizations are daily supplied with official Press Releases, Press coverage invitations, notices, photographic material and other information by means of instant electronic dispatch. Accreditation facilities, press arrangements as well as guidance and assistance are given to local and foreign members of the media. Arrangements are also made for local media representatives accompanying the President of Malta and the Prime Minister during official visits abroad.
The department also coordinates facilities afforded to the media during State functions, national events, the General/Local Council Elections and other events.
Photographic Services
Extensive photo coverage is given to Government activities as well as to national events. These services ensure fast transmission of current digital photographic material to the media.
Photography Archives
The archives house a vast collection of contemporary as well as historical photographic material which dates back to an era when DOI was practically the only information-gathering organisation on the island. A selection of archived photos can be viewed at the DOI Photo Gallery.
Press Registry
Since 1988, the Department of Information has been housing the Press Registry where the register of newspapers, radio and TV stations is being kept and updated in terms of the Press Act. At the Press Registry, applications for registration purposes are submitted by editors and publishers of newspapers and periodicals, and by editors of radio an television stations; and certificates requesting confirmation of editorships to be deposited as evidence in libel cases brought before the Courts of Law, are prepared and issued over the signature of the Press Registrar.
Publishing
The department is responsible for the compilation and publication of the Malta Government Gazette, in its printed and electronic version. Other printed and electronic matter dealing with Government services and matters of public interest are also produced through this unit.
Sales Office
Publications sold at DOI include Official Government Publications, the Malta Government Gazette, Budget Speeches, Financial Estimates and Economic Surveys, Bills tabled in Parliament, Acts of Parliament, Legal Notices, Statistical reports and others miscellaneous publications. Photographs depicting a wide variety of topics such as International Meetings and Conferences held in Malta, State and Official Visits, National Festivities, National Heritage and aerial views of Malta are also available for sale to the general public, as well as DVDs produced by the department.
Video Production
The department produces documentaries of national interest, such as the Maltese National Poet, Dun Karm Psaila, the Malta Railway, and the award of the George Cross. The department also provides audio-visual footage of several occasions including official visits to Malta and state events, amongst others. The restoration, digitising and archiving of historical film footage (16mm) is also a continuous process carried out by the department.
Documents & Manuals
Documents
Administrative files
Archives: Photo and film
DOI Sales Office:
Government Gazette
Official documents - Electoral Register, Financial Estimates, Financial Reports, Economic Survey, etc.
Publications by the National Audit Office
Acts, Bills and Legal Notices
DVDs – Documentaries and historical films/footage
CDs of digitised publications
Library: Books, journals, magazines and official publications pertaining to national and foreign affairs
Manuals
Social Media Policy
Data Protection and Freedom of Information procedures
Administrative rules
Complaints
An applicant whose request for information is refused, or who is otherwise not satisfied with the information provided, its format or the extension of the deadline for the submission of the requested information, may address a complaint to the Department.
The complaint will be addressed to the Department’s FOI (Freedom of Information) Officer, who shall bring the complaint to the attention of the officer responsible. The officer responsible shall reply to the applicant within 10 working days from the receipt of the complaint. The applicant shall also be informed that he or she may appeal the decision or otherwise address a complaint to the Information and Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (Cap. 496 of the Laws of Malta).
The officer responsible shall inform the applicant of the decision taken with respect to his or her complaint, and in the event of confirmation of a decision not to release the pertinent information, shall explain the reasons thereof. Whenever the applicant’s complaint is related to the format of the information provided or to an extension of the deadline for the submission of information by the Department, and the original decision is upheld, the applicant shall be given an explanation as to why his or her complaint cannot be positively addressed.
An applicant may also make use of the Internal Complaints Procedure to report failure to meet deadlines or to send notifications. In those cases where the request for information can be met, but has not been met within the deadlines specified by the Act the officer responsible shall waive any applicable fees for the submission of information.
